News

DP to push for more reforms as July extraordinary session kicks off

2025/07/07 19:34

At the National Assembly. Ruling and opposition lawmakers remain poles apart over several legislative initiatives but they are now reportedly seeing eye to eye on the need for cooperation over confrontation. Our correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon reports. The July extraordinary session of the National Assembly kicked off on Monday, with the ruling and opposition parties entering the term sharply divided following last week's passage of the highly contentious extra budget bill. The ruling Democratic Party is pushing to pass a number of bills that were previously vetoed by the former administration — including broadcasting reform legislation and a revision to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, known as the "yellow envelope bill." The broadcasting bills aim to reduce political influence over public broadcasters by limiting the number of board members appointed by political parties, while the "yellow envelope bill" seeks to broaden the definition of "employer" and restrict damage claims against labor unions. Efforts to reform the prosecution are also picking up pace. "We promise to swiftly implement the complete separation of investigation and indictment, ensure effective checks on prosecutorial power, and institutionalize political neutrality." Meanwhile, the opposition People Power Party is continuing its efforts to counter the DP's legislative dominance. PPP floor leader Song Eon-seog declared that the party would use upcoming confirmation hearings for ministerial nominees as an opportunity to push back against what the party sees as unilateral rule. "The People Power Party, together with the people, will examine the qualifications and moral integrity of ministerial nominees riddled with criminal suspicions on a microscopic level, in order to block the arrogant and one-sided governance of the Lee Jae Myung administration." Although ministerial nominees do not require a parliamentary vote for appointment, confirmation hearings serve as a key opportunity for the opposition party to vet and challenge the president's personnel decisions. Despite this heightened tension, both parties are making cautious moves toward cooperation. On the first day of the session, the policy chiefs of both parties formed a joint consultative body — aimed at fast-tracking livelihood-related bills and coordinating shared campaign pledges made during the recent presidential election. Both sides acknowledged their differences on key policy matters but agreed on the need for discussion, not confrontation. As the session continues, the coming weeks will test whether bipartisan dialogue can truly take root. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Seoul asks Washington to impose U.S. port entry fees on China, exclude S. Korea

2025/07/07 19:33

South Korea has reportedly asked to be excluded from U.S. plans to impose fees on foreign-built car carriers docking at American ports. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative South Korea's Ministries of Trade and Oceans submitted a request to this end last week. Back in April the Trump administration announced plans for the new port fees on vessels particularly those built or operated by Chinese entities to address concerns over China's dominance in the global shipping arena.

Hallyu People_Just back from 'Animafest Zagreb', meet animation director Erick Oh

2025/07/07 17:34

The 'World Festival of Animated Film Zagreb', better known as 'Animafest Zagreb' is one of the world's top animation festivals. Today, we invite a renowned director of Korean origin whose works were invited to the event in Croatia's capital last month. It's former Pixar animator and Oscar-nominated filmmaker animation director Erick Oh who's joining us in the studio. Welcome Director Oh! 1) Director Oh, let's talk about the most recent big event. You and your works were invited to Animafest Zagreb, which ran from June 2nd to June 7th. How was it and which of your films were introduced there? 2) Animafest Zagreb is not the only prestigious film event you were invited to. Your works have been recognized at the animation festivals in Hiroshima in Japan, Ottawa in Canada, Annecy in France and many more. How does it feel to be at those events and which awards or nominations mean the most to you? 3) You also were a Pixar animator in the past. How did you get to work at one of the world's most popular animation studios? 4) How was the experience there? Which productions have you been involved in? 5) I'm sure you feel the Hallyu boom around you in the U.S. It's also evident in a recent American Netflix hit, "KPop Demon Hunters", which is full of Korean cultural elements. Do you make use of Korean elements in your films? 6) Another animated film that made headlines in the U.S. was "The King of Kings", a Korean animation production which was a huge box office success in North America. How do you think the status of K-animation has changed over the years? 7) Director Oh, your father, KAIST Professor Oh Jun-ho is known as the creator of "Hubo" a humanoid robot that was the world's first robot to participate as an Olympics torch bearer at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Does your father influence or inspire your creative work? 8) Last but not least, do you have a message you want to share through your animations? And for viewers who want to know you and your works better, what would you recommend them to watch and how can they watch your films? Thank you very much Director Oh for coming in today and for sharing your story. We look forward to many more creative, amazing animated works by you. Thank you Walter as always, see you back tomorrow.

[K-Enter] "KPop Demon Hunters" OST continues to gain popularity, Saja Boys top Spotify

2025/07/07 16:36

Right, so let's kick off with K-enter news. What do you have? We knew it was going to be a good year for K-pop, the return of BTS, BLACKPINK, and also a massive year for debutants but I don't think many would predict the influence an animated K-pop demon hunting group would have on the music charts. On Friday, "Your Idol" from the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack, and a song sung by the Saja Boys, TOPPED the U.S. "Daily Top Songs" chart on Spotify. Only three other K-pop songs have reached No. 1 on the U.S. Spotify chart: "Seven" by BTS's Jungkook , "Who" by BTS's Jimin, and "APT." by BLACKPINK's Rosé. Meanwhile, other soundtrack hits from "KPop Demon Hunters" also ranked high, including "Golden" at No. 2. Separately, on Sunday, Billboard reported in a chart preview article that the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack album had climbed five spots from the previous week to reach No. 3 on the Billboard 200, the main U.S. album chart. Should I say look out BTS, the Saja Boys are coming? But Huntrix, the heroines in the film, might still have competition as BLACKPINK FINALLY returned over the weekend. Tell us more. I have to say it, "BLACKPINK in your area" and they have launched their new world tour "DEADLINE" with two concerts held over the weekend just outside of Seoul. Reunited, they performed in front of 39,000 fans per night, drawing a total of 78,000 "Blinks" over the two days. The girls played all the classics and also premiered their new track "Jump", marking their first full-group release in 2 years and 8 months following their second studio album "BORN PINK". BLACKPINK will perform a total of 31 stadium concerts across 16 cities. Sticking to the theme of concerts, now to a boy group. Boy group RIIZE held their "2025 RIIZE CONCERT TOUR 'RIIZING LOUD' IN SEOUL" from Friday to Sunday in Seoul. Over the course of three days, more than 31,000 fans attended the shows. The group also connected with a global audience through a live cinema screening on the first day and an online livestream on the final day, reaching fans in the U.S., U.K., Japan, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and more. The group delivered a total of 24 songs, including tracks from their debut mini album, such as "Get A Guitar" and "Boom Boom Bass". Following their Seoul shows, RIIZE will continue the tour with stops in 14 cities around the world. Thanks for the news as always Walter. It's now time for our AI anchor Ari to bring us more on the culture front. Ari over to you.

K-wave AI News

2025/07/07 16:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The world's largest darts tournament, the 'K-Darts Festival' took place in Incheon on Sunday. The event drew around 3,500 participants from 16 countries, who demonstrated remarkable focus and precision. Among the competitors were 500 professional players from around the globe. Organizers highlighted that the global profile of "K-Darts" is on the rise, with Korean companies now exporting soft-tip dart machines to over 30 countries, accounting for 50% of the global market. The southern coastal city of Yeosu has been selected as the host of the 7th annual 'Island Day' celebration, scheduled for August 8 next year. Designated as a national commemorative day, Island Day aims to highlight the cultural and environmental value of Korea's islands, with events held in various island regions. Yeosu was chosen for its strong transportation and tourism infrastructure, as well as its rich island resources. The city also earned high marks for its potential synergy with the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, set for September. The former Hakchon Theater in Daehangno, once an iconic landmark of Seoul's vibrant theater district, has been reborn as a dedicated venue for children and youth performances. Now named the 'Arko Kkumbat Theater,' it reopened following renovations made possible through public support. At the reopening ceremony, Arts Council Korea Chairman Choung Byoung-gug expressed confidence that the theater will continue to thrive with the help of meaningful contributions from supporters. Backed by more than 7,000 donations, the upgraded facility is expected to offer a variety of performances and programs tailored to young audiences. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Features reporter] "An Exhibition Without Borders": 9 artists with development disabilities soar beyond limits

2025/07/07 16:34

A special exhibition is taking place in Türkiye by a group of South Korean artists whose works of art prove that developmental disabilities do not hinder creative ability. Our Choi Soo-hyung has their story. A hot air balloon floats gently on a small canvas, showing the beauty of Cappadocia, Türkiye. Flowers, recreated with Korean colors and lines, also catch the eye. All of these works are made using tape. Artist Park Tae-hyun visited Türkiye in 2017, and ever since, he has dreamed of going back to hold an exhibition there. "He rode a hot air balloon and sailed on a cruise ship in Türkiye, which left a strong impression. After returning to Korea, he made many related artworks and has always dreamed of exhibiting them." Since June 16, a special exhibition has been held at the Korean Cultural Center in Ankara, Türkiye, featuring work from Art Brut Korea by nine artists with developmental disabilities, including Park and Jeong Do-woon. More than 40 pieces of art grab the attention of visitors with their bold colors and unique perspectives. "I thought many Korean residents would come, but many locals visited instead. They listened carefully to the stories behind each artwork, asked questions, and showed their respect. Our artists felt very happy, and I was truly proud." "We thought it would be meaningful to share Korean culture through pure and unique perspectives. By introducing artworks about Türkiye seen through Korean eyes, we also hoped to highlight the strong friendship between Korea and Türkiye." Over the past 10 years of their artistic journey, the artists' disabilities have become a driving force for their art, not a limitation. "People with developmental disabilities often have sensitive hearing or vision, giving them a unique view of the world. With strong intuition and focus, it feels like the picture is already complete in their mind, and they simply transfer it onto the canvas." There were many doubts and stereotypes about how people with developmental disabilities could create such artwork. "One tough prejudice is people doubting that artists with developmental disabilities truly created the artwork themselves. It's a hurtful misunderstanding." From planning the exhibition to setting up the artwork, the parents do everything except create the pieces themselves. But the parents of Art Brut Korea say they want the world to recognize these works as those of true artists. "An Exhibition Without Borders" in Türkiye runs until July 25. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

[Short-form] Korean Traditions in “KPop Demon Hunters”

2025/07/07 16:33

Short-form] Korean Traditions in “KPop Demon Hunters” Explore Korean traditions woven in Netflix’s mega-hit “KPop Demon Hunters.” It gets even more intriguing when you know the hidden details!

[On-point] How S. Korea is making last-minute efforts to minimize impact of tariffs

2025/07/07 12:33

As we just heard, U.S. President Donald Trump now says he'll send out tariff letters to at least twelve countries. For more on South Korea's last-minute efforts to minimize the impact of tariffs, we're joined by Professor Shim Myungkyu, Associate Professor of Economics at Yonsei University. Professor Shim, thanks for joining us this morning. 1. South Korea's presidential advisor and top trade negotiator is in Washington. Will the country be able to make meaningful progress in trade talks? 2. What leverage does South Korea have in tariff negotiations with the U.S.? 3. What's likely to happen if the deadline is not extended? Which South Korean industries will be the hardest hit once the tariffs go into effect? 4. As for the domestic economy,.. the government will soon begin distributing cash handouts --a key part of its supplementary budget. How effective will this measure be in reviving the domestic economy? 5. The supplementary budget also includes support for job seekers. Will this help boost the labor market? Alright Professor Thank you so much for your insight this morning. We appreciate it.

[NEWs GEN] Worker Wants: What labor reforms do young employees want?

2025/07/07 12:33

[NEWs GEN] Worker Wants: What labor reforms do young employees want? [뉴젠] 주 4.5일제, 노란봉투법, 정년연장 논의 중인 노동법들... 이에 대한 MZ의 생각은?

Trump confirms ‘letter or a deal’ on tariffs by July 9

2025/07/07 11:39

We begin in the U.S., where President Donald Trump says he'll begin sending letters about tariff rates to countries starting Monday. Countries including South Korea are speeding up efforts to enter negotiations. Our Moon Ji-young starts us off. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is ready to send out letters starting Monday notifying countries of the tariffs they will have to pay. "We be sending letters out on Monday having to do with the trade deals. Could be 12, maybe 15 .they'll be going out on Monday and some will go out on Tuesday and Wednesday. And it'll and we've, we've made deals also. So we're going to have a combination of letters and some deals have been made." Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump added that either a letter will be sent or a deal will be done by July 9th. Following Trump's comments, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated a three-week reprieve. "The tariffs go into effect August 1st. But the president is setting the rates and the deals right now." This comes after Trump's announcement of the tariffs in April, which included a 10 percent base rate for most countries and additional rates, which in some cases went up to around 50 percent, although he later delayed the effective date for all but the 10 percent tariffs until July 9. Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac is in Washington, D.C. for three days to discuss pending issues. On his way to the U.S. on Sunday, he told reporters that Seoul and Washington have been discussing issues related to trade and security. "As the current negotiation phase is becoming quite critical, I'm stepping up my involvement, which is why I'm visiting the United States." He is expected to meet with his U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio. When asked about defense cost-sharing, he indicated that a range of issues were open for discussion, implying that cost-sharing could be on the agenda. The agenda is also expected to include coordination for a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Searing heat across Korea with heat alerts

2025/07/07 11:38

The searing heat wave continues across Korea. Heatwave warnings are now more widespread than advisories, covering most of the country. The heat in western regions will get stronger, tomorrow will top out at 36 degrees in the capital and stay that hot, while east coast regions, including Gangneung, will finally see some heat relief thanks to easterly winds. It's Soseo today, the onset of the sweltering heat of summer. And the numbers prove it..Seoul gets up to 32 degrees, Gwangju at 35 degrees and Daegu at 37 degrees with very high UV rays. Meanwhile, expect scattered showers in various inland regions until this evening, with up to 50 millimeters of rain possible along with thunderstorms. Seoul is about to experience the hottest days of the year so far this week. Please take extra precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses. Stay hydrated and stay safe.

Ozzy Osbourne's farewell performance from black throne captivates fans

2025/07/07 11:38

Legendary artist and Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne delivered his final live performance on Saturday in Birmingham, England, under the title, "Back To The Beginning." Seated on a symbolic bat-themed throne due to his Parkinson's and spinal issues, the 76-year-old singer launched into his solo hits, before being joined by Black Sabbath's original lineup. The 11-hour event also included performances from other rock legends such as Metallica and Guns N' Roses. The massive event drew 40,000 fans to the concert at Villa Park and over 5.8 million viewers via global livestream. Three charities are set to receive proceeds from the event, including Cure Parkinson's.

Pope Leo arrives at lakeside residence of Castel Gandolfo for two-week summer break

2025/07/07 11:38

Pope Leo XIV arrived at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo on Sunday, the first time in 12 years that a pope has used the summer retreat. The pope will spend two weeks from July 6 to 20 at the Villa Barberini on the edge of Lake Albano. Before leaving the Vatican, the pontiff said during his Sunday prayer "I hope everyone can have some vacation time to restore the body and spirit." The stay at Castel Gandolfo is a change from the late Pope Francis, who stayed in the Vatican during the summer.

Musk announces forming of 'America Party' in further break from Trump

2025/07/07 11:37

Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk has announced the formation of the "America Party" marking a further break from former ally U.S. President Donald Trump. Musk made the announcement on social media on Saturday, after posting a poll that showed two-to-one support from 1.2 million respondents. He pledged to oppose Trump-supported legislation and shake up U.S. politics ahead of 2026. Musk branded the current political system a "one-party" structure and not a democracy, and vowed to give people back their freedom, as well as showing his outrage over what Trump called his "Big Beautiful Bill" that Musk said would "bankrupt the country." Trump on Sunday called Musk's plans "ridiculous" but said that Musk "can have fun with it." Musk was once a major Trump campaign financier and head of the "Department of Government Efficiency."

BRICS summit opens in Brazil overshadowed by Trump’s tariff policies and Middle East tensions

2025/07/07 11:37

Good morning. I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. Leaders of the ten-member BRICS group gathered in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday for the bloc's 17th summit under the slogan "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance." Leaders from Brazil, India, China, South Africa, and newer members such as Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, UAE, and Ethiopia gathered for the two-day summit. Despite the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who attended virtually, BRICS leaders achieved a rare consensus, approving a 31-page declaration. Key points included criticizing "indiscriminate" U.S. tariff hikes and condemning increased NATO defense spending. Host President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged the bloc to act as defenders of multilateralism. BRICS nations represent more than half the world's population and 40% of its economic output. The gathering comes amid growing calls for a united front to counterbalance the U.S.-led G7.

Korean musical theater reaches the world at 19th DIMF

2025/07/07 11:37

One of South Korea's largest musical festivals is taking place in Daegu. This year's event takes place amid enthusiasm for Korean musicals, especially after the musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' won six Tony awards. Byeon Ye-young has this report. This summer, Daegu once again transforms into a stage. Korea's largest musical festival, The Daegu International Musical Festival, or DIMF, brings creators and audiences together from all over. This year, showcasing 29 musicals from home and abroad. "The dress rehearsal for this year's closing performance, Panda, is about to begin. This Chinese production blends dazzling acrobatics with traditional martial arts, a real treat for the eyes." A visual and musical spectacle, Panda tells a heartfelt story about love, coexistence, and the care we owe to nature. It's a piece that's beloved by Korean audiences. This reading performance, part of DIMF's musical incubation program, offers young talents a rare chance to present their work. Some pieces even go on to become full-scale productions with funding and support. "I received a lot of overall support from DIMF throughout the production process. But what helped me the most was getting direct feedback from the mentor instructors. That was incredibly helpful in developing and improving the piece." "I think the best part of this program is getting to meet great creators, working alongside talented actors, and simply having opportunities like this. For actors like me, that's one of the most valuable aspects." With global success stories like Maybe Happy Ending, DIMF is more than just a festival. "As DIMF approaches its 20th anniversary next year, our hope is that musical fans from around the world will come to Daegu. To make that happen, we believe it's essential to connect the festival with tourism. Our goal, and also our challenge, is to grow DIMF into a truly global musical festival." It's a symbol of what's possible for Korea's creative industry. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News, Daegu.

Lovebugs taking over South Korea: Here’s why it’s getting worse

2025/07/07 11:36

If you're in Korea, you might have come across these small black insects that fly around as a pair, which is why they're named lovebugs. They've been around for the past few years, but their return has been especially unwelcoming this summer with its worst seasonal surge in the numbers of lovebugs. Park Hyo-been tells us more. Hiking trails covered with black bugs. At the top of the mountain trail, bags filled with dead bugs are stacked one after another. They're called lovebugs, and they've been appearing in massive numbers across South Korea's capital region every summer in recent years. But many say they've never seen this many before. "They stick to everything. Even if you try to fan them away, they don't come off easily. There were just so many, I literally couldn't walk around without doing this. This year has been just unbelievable." "I'm now standing here on Gyeyangsan Mountain, and as you can see, there are lovebugs all over my clothes. Also over here, these are their dead bodies." There are several theories behind the surge, but experts point to climate change as a key factor. "Although it's monsoon season, we've had little rain this year, which is a possible sign of climate change. Typhoons have missed Korea and brought heavy rainfall to southwestern China, causing years of flooding there. That may have driven the bugs to migrate naturally into Korea." Though they cause some discomfort, lovebugs are actually considered beneficial insects, making aggressive extermination efforts difficult to justify. "Lovebugs actually play a beneficial role in the ecosystem by serving as food for other species and helping decompose organic matter. They don't bite or spread disease, but when they appear in large numbers like this, people tend to see them as pests." Instead of using chemical pesticides, local governments are turning to eco-friendly control methods Some municipalities are using LED lights to lure the bugs away from populated areas, while others deploy fire trucks to spray water and kill them. Authorities are also collecting the insects by hand and using sticky traps to reduce their numbers. Experts say the bugs tend to swarm most intensely until mid-July, after which their numbers decline. But they also warn that these seasonal invasions are likely to continue. "Given recent climate patterns, these outbreaks are very likely to continue. The areas where lovebugs appear may shift, but the phenomenon itself is expected to persist for the time being." As lovebugs return each year and in greater numbers, balancing ecological value with public discomfort is becoming a growing challenge for local governments and residents alike. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Seoul asks Washington to impose U.S. port entry fees on China, exclude S. Korea

2025/07/07 11:35

The South Korean government has asked Washington to impose U.S. port entry fees on foreign-built car carriers from China, and exclude South Korea. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Sunday,.. South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries submitted an opinion containing their official position last week. The U.S. announced in April that it plans to implement new port entry fees on vessels, particularly those built or operated by Chinese entities, to help boost the U.S. shipbuilding industry and address concerns about China's dominance in global shipping. Seoul also called on Washington to exclude South Korea from paying a port entry fee, as it would run counter to the mutually beneficial trade relationship between Korea and the United States.

Dozens killed in Texas flood

2025/07/07 11:34

Dozens of people have been killed after a flood struck central Texas on Friday. Many of those killed are children, attending a summer camp. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he signed a "Major Disaster Declaration" for relief for area. Lee Seung-jae has more. The death toll in Kerr County in central Texas reached at least 68 on Sunday after a catastrophic flood struck the region on Friday. Heavy rains and flash floods caused a surge of six to eight meters on the Guadalupe River near Kerrville, leading to massive damage. The flood impacted six counties across central Texas, with many of the casualties coming from Kerr County. Many of the victims were children at a summer camp. At least 41 people are still missing, while at least 10 other people lost their lives in surrounding counties. "I had the opportunity yesterday to visit Camp Mystic and get to see firsthand what happened there as well as all the way downstream after that. And it was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through." With the summer camp season in full swing,.. many Texas residents in the tight-knit communities saw friends and neighbors impacted by the flood. "And a week ago at Camp Mystic, my, I had five granddaughters in Camp Mystic, and they finished their first session and they're home now. But their some of their friends were there for the second session, and I just my heart goes out to all those little girls." U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media on Sunday that he had signed a "Major Disaster Declaration," which would allow first responders to have access to the resources they need as they continue search and recovery efforts. Trump said that the "families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost," adding that his administration will work closely with state and local leaders. With Trump's declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been activated in Texas, with the Department of Homeland Security ensuring that state and local authorities have the resources they need to lead a swift and effective response amid this tragic disaster. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Gov’t and ruling party agree to tackle inflation, swiftly implement supplementary budget

2025/07/07 11:34

The first high-level consultation between government officials and the ruling party under the Lee Jae Myung administration took place over the weekend. Key topics included the efforts to stabilize prices and swift implementation of the extra budget. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. As consumer prices in South Korea rose 2-point-2 percent on-year in June --the fastest increase in five months -- the government and ruling Democratic Party agreed to review measures to stabilize prices, including efforts to minimize processed food price hikes. This came during the first high-level consultation meeting between government officials and the ruling party under the Lee Jae Myung administration. At the meeting, held on Sunday at Prime Minister Kim Min-seok's residence, Kim urged the government and the DP to work as one and do their best to serve the country and its people. "The high-level consultation between the government and the ruling party will function as a platform to coordinate key policy tasks and produce tangible outcomes under the President's leadership." The DP called on the government to quickly implement the supplementary budget for economic recovery. The Cabinet on Saturday approved an extra budget bill worth 31-point-8 trillion Korean won or around 23-point-3 billion U.S. dollars. "To help boost spending and support incomes, consumption vouchers should be rolled out before the peak summer vacation season. We once again request swift implementation of the extra budget." In response, the government said it plans to execute 85 percent of the budget by the end of September and work with related ministries to closely monitor its impact. Meanwhile, safety measures for potential disasters during the summer season were also part of discussions. The government promised to take thorough steps to prepare for natural disasters like floods and storms, and both sides agreed to strengthen their response to heat waves. They also agreed to communicate more closely and hold regular high-level consultation meetings. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.